Purification Catalyst Warm-up Device with Heat Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warm-up devices for purification catalysts in vehicle exhaust systems waste energy since the catalyst is warmed even when the engine is not started, leading to inefficient energy utilization.
Innovation Solution
A warm-up device comprising a heating mechanism, a refrigerant reservoir, and a refrigerant transmitter that stores and transmits heat to the purification catalyst, allowing energy used to warm the catalyst to be effectively utilized by storing it in the refrigerant reservoir when the engine is not started and using it to warm the engine or other components when the engine is started.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the purification catalyst is warmed up using an electric heater before engine start, then the catalyst activation temperature is reached and regulated substances are purified, but energy is wasted when the engine is not started
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary warming of the purification catalyst using an electric heater before engine start. The warmed catalyst stores thermal energy that can be reused later, ensuring the catalyst is ready for immediate purification when the engine starts, while avoiding energy waste during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores the thermal energy from the warmed purification catalyst in a heat storage device. This recovered energy is then reused to warm the engine coolant or other components, converting what would be wasted heat into useful energy for engine warm-up and improving overall system efficiency
2Reliability
If the purification catalyst is warmed up continuously, then the catalyst remains at activation temperature, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the warming action in advance before engine start, ensuring the catalyst is ready for purification. After warm-up, the system stops heating and relies on stored thermal energy, avoiding continuous energy consumption while maintaining catalyst readiness
Solution Approach 2:
The warmed purification catalyst serves dual purposes: it performs its primary function of purifying exhaust gases and simultaneously acts as a heat source to warm the engine coolant or other components through the heat storage device, making the system self-sufficient and reducing external energy requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures that the energy used to warm the purification catalyst is efficiently stored and reused, reducing waste and improving the overall energy efficiency of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a heating mechanism 40 that heats a purification catalyst 38 provided to an exhaust pipe
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant reservoir 42 that stores, in a heat insulating manner, a refrigerant whose heat is exchanged with the heated purification catalyst
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant transmitter 310 that transmits the refrigerant 300 stored in the refrigerant reservoir 42 to an object to be warmed up
Data Source
AI summary
A warm-up device includes a heating mechanism, a refrigerant reservoir, and a refrigerant transmitter. The heating mechanism heats a purification catalyst provided to an exhaust pipe. The refrigerant reservoir stores, in a heat insulating manner, a refrigerant whose heat is exchanged with the heated purification catalyst. The refrigerant transmitter transmits the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant reservoir to an object to be warmed up.